Fiona Thompson

Hundreds of visitors jumped at the chance to put Wearside’s newest sporting centre to the test.

AAAsports Sunderland has opened its doors to teach trampolining, gymnastics and cheerleading skills.

First day opening of the AAAsports cente in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland, on Saturday

The base, at the former Sunderland Climbing Centre in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, will give around 500 people a week the chance to take lessons through 125 classes, giving the team which has led sessions for the last eight years a venue to call their own.

The complex, which has seen 17 coaches trained up to help meet demand, will also offer adult classes for the first time by the club.

Some of those who will take classes have previously been students.

Head coach Andi Revell said: “We’ve run classes at other venues, but this is the first time we’ve had somewhere that’s our own.

It’s nice to see people coming in and enjoying it.

Andi Revell, head coach

“We’ll still be doing classes elsewhere, because it’s really important people can access them and we know that not all people drive.

“We’ll be able to have three or four different classes going on at the same time.

“It’s nice to see people coming in and enjoying it.”

He added programmes such as Tumble, the BBC show which saw celebrities learn and perform gymnastics, had given the sport a boost, with the new facilities to now give them the chance to try it out for themselves.

Head coach Andi Revell cuts the ribbon to officially open the AAAsports centre, Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland on Saturday.

The centre also runs freestyling courses, which is similar to parkour and is popular with youngsters who like to try our stunts and flips.

Dave Welsh, 45, from Grangetown was among the families who visited the centre on its first day.

His son Kieran, now 18, and a student at Southmoor Academy, started with the club before his brother Bradley, 14, and also a pupil at the school, took up trampolining and the double mini trampoline, which is used for vaulting, when he was seven and has since become a British and club champion.

Dave said: “It’s excellent, this will help Bradley concentrate more on different areas, so he’ll be able to do more conditioning and work on his abs, to focus on what he needs for his training.

First day opening of the AAAsports cente in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland, on Saturday

“I sometimes volunteer and to see this now, it’s phenomenal.”

Chris Blake, 52, from East Herrington, was on hand as daughter Amy, 20, started her work as a coach.

Chris, who is chairman of Imagine Table Tennis Club, which is based at Sandhill, said: “I think it’s really good and the great think about the club is it encourages people to give something back.”

AAAsports will continue to run classes at Sandhill, Raich Carter and Bede College sports centres, as well as others in Stanley and North Tyneside.

Its new centre will host parties, visits from schools and competitions

First day opening of the AAAsports cente in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland, on Saturday

First day opening of the AAAsports cente in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland, on Saturday

First day opening of the AAAsports cente in Shakespeare Street, Southwick, Sunderland, on Saturday